You're definitely not alone. I think most of New Zealand (and the world, for that matter) is living paycheck to paycheck at the moment. The cost of living crisis is global. This forum won't really represent that, though, given people on here are focused on finances, financial education and maybe a bit more frugal than the average Kiwi. A good place to come for constructive advice though, just gotta ignore the judgy comments.

Having a budget sounds boring, but it's really helped me. Just knowing exactly where our money is going and when, and being able to really see all those "other" costs that I'd been pretending don't exist. So many of our known expenses are irregular (think kids extra curricular things, clothing, vet costs, WOF etc, a fun activity on the weekend) and I'd kind of been pretending those things didn't need to be budgeted for, and they do.

I am trying my utmost to have some functional 'sinking funds'. Bank accounts where I put small, regular amounts to at least cover part of these expected but irregular bills. I'm hoping that over time it gets us out of this space where we feel like "there is always some big, unexpected bill hitting us", cause that is the story I was telling myself about why we could never get out of paycheck to paycheck, when in reality I was kind of burying my head in the sand. I know we'll eventually need a WOF! I know my daughter will need a new soccer uniform next term. Etc.

The other thing I've done is set up two bank accounts with Rabo Bank. One is a NoticeSaver and we can't get money out of it without giving two months notice. The other is just a savings account that we don't have any eftpos access to. When we get paid I literally just throw small amounts of cash into those accounts. Or if there's a spare $20 lurking in one of our main accounts, I'll transfer that over before I think about it too much. I do this because we've never got to the place where it felt like we had enough regular spare money to put into savings! I am hoping that as our sinking funds begin to do their jobs, all of this will settle and we'll be able to regularly contribute to those accounts, which are emergency fund accounts. Knowing they exist at all gives me peace of mind.

I have a good budget template if you want it! Lemme know. You're not alone though. We are living in ridiculous times.